PJ Masks: Ticket Giveaway

When I told my kids about PJ MASKS Live coming to Pittsburgh, they immediately ran and put their pajamas on – and it was only noon! If your kids are as excited as mine about PJ Masks, keep reading because I have some great news!

PJ MASKS Live! Time to Be a Hero!

Monday, November 13^th, 2017 at 6pm

Tuesday, November 14^th, 2017 at 6pm

Byham Theatre

Come see your favorite pint-sized super heroes in action in their brand new live show: PJ MASKS Live! Watch Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they try to save the day from their sneaky villains — Romeo, Night Ninja and Luna Girl! Fluttering Feathers! Leaping Lizards! What a CAT-­tastrophe!

You’ve NEVER seen the PJ Masks like this before — leaping, flipping and climbing — live on stage! Expect to hear some of your favorite PJ Masks songs along with some brand new ones! There are two opportunities to see this amazing show – Monday and Tuesday evening, November 13^th and 14^th.

You don’t want to sleep through this, so hurry up and get your tickets here before they sell out!

Time to be a Hero Pajama Program

Any PJ Masks fan knows that pajamas are a powerful, magical tool for children. That’s why ‘PJ Masks Live! Time to Be a Hero,’ will collect pajamas for Pajama Program at the Byham Theater before the PJ Masks Live! performances.

Bring a pair of new pajamas for children (infant through age 18) to the show. Pajama Program will gladly share these gifts with the children they serve.

Giveaway:

We have 4 tickets for the Monday evening performance to give to one lucky family!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Written by Momtourage mama, Kayt Bech. 

This post is in collaboration with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as I know you'll enjoy this great family-friendly show!

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures

Last week we were invited to the first guest lecture in the author and illustrator series for Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. We're big readers in our house and are always happy to learn about authors and new books as well as hang out at the Carnegie Library! The first guest happened to be Dav Pilky who is the author of the popular Captain Underpants & Dog Man series. My two sidekicks for the day were ready for an adventure and they weren't disappointed! Super capes, new books and larger-than-life inflatable characters started off the fun. 

Here in Pittsburgh, we are so blessed with an amazing library system! It's incredible that we have 19 branches of CLP and our family has enjoyed every branch that we have visited. With 4 kids, I admit that library books brings me a lot of angst. No matter what system we put in place, we manage to pay our share in library fines. 😂 But  I totally think it's worth it for the joy they have in discovering libraries full of new books! 

Although I had heard of Captain Underpants, we hadn't read the books yet and Dog Man was a new introduction for us. Since simply the word underpants sends my kids into gales of laughter, I was pretty sure my kids would be big fans (I was right). 

But the real treat of the day was hearing the story of author Dav Pilky. Dav was diagnosed with ADHD as a young boy and school was a challenge for him. We immediately perked our ears with having our own little one with ADHD. In 2nd grade, Dav began to create the character of Captain Underpants. His classmates? Big fans! His teacher? Not so much. She even told him it wasn't like he could just write silly stories his whole life. 😄 We were able to identify so much with his story about the challenges of school and how he was able to triumph through those challenges. It was so inspiring and my little one was beaming with encouragement. 

It was fun to see him draw his Captain Underpants character in under 45 seconds! This guy has some serious talent! My kids are now reading through his Dog Man series and loving it. 

The Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Series will host a variety of acclaimed children's authors and illustrators over the next few months. 

Nancy Isenberg / Katherine Applegate / Sherman Alexie / Roddy Doyle / Ron Chernow / 

Isabel Allende / Richard Russo / Katherine Paterson / Jennifer Egan / Nicola Yoon / Paul Beatty / Bryan Collier / Sandra Neil Wallace / Mo Willems / Susan Faludi / Melissa Sweet / Mohsin Hamid / Viet Thanh Nguyen

Go here to see the full schedule. Also, check out the subscription package where you can save 20% off a single ticket price. 

We're looking forward to discovering more authors and books such as this one during this series! 

#WordsandPictures

This post sponsored by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures in conjunction with The Motherhood. All opinions remain my own. 

Gear Up With Sears for Back2School!

I don't know about you, but no matter how much I know that school is coming, Back2School shopping always seems to sneak up on me! Anyone else?? With 4 kids in school now, we have to be very strategic about where and how we shop. So when Sears invited us to shop their Back2School sales, we were excited for the opportunity! I confess, I've never done our school shopping at Sears, but we certainly found that it has everything kids need + more! From active wear to denim to footwear, backpacks and more, Sears has everything you need to make sure your family kicks the school year off in style. If your kids wear uniforms for school, they have a great selection of high quality Lands' End uniforms on sale. 

The first thing that I will always look for is the SALES. And we found some great ones at Sears! Lands' End and many other kids items were all 30%, 40% or 50% off. Score!! We also found some awesome deals on backpacks & lunch boxes. 

Sears is also running some extra great savings this month:

• Week 3 of August:  Make back to school shopping more rewarding - get an extra 20% off when you use your Sears card or 15% off with any other payment.
• Week 4 of August: Bring the cool to school…time to get an extra 25% off a purchase of $40 or more.

Sears provides shopping convenience – letting members shop wherever, whenever and however they choose.  They also offer a seamless connection between the in-store, mobile and online shopping experience.

My kids all have very different personalities and styles which is clearly reflected in their outfits of choice for the first day of school. 😍

SWEETNESS........

FUNNY GUY......

SUGAR & SPICE........

SPORTS GUY.........

I was very pleasantly surprised at the great deals on shoes. We even found tennis shoes for $10!! Whether you’re looking for flashy hightops or comfortable sneakers, new shoes can help your kids put their best foot forward. Sears is here to help you gear up with all kids’ shoes on sale starting at $9.99.

Shopping online has become a mom's saving grace, right? So be sure to check out the Sears shoppable back to school digital catalog for fun looks and outfit inspiration!

Check out our video of Back2School shopping fun at Sears! 

I spy that twinkle in your eye...... 😉

I think we moms are always a little extra nostalgic as our first borns hit those milestones first. While there is a special sweetness to the baby days, I wouldn't trade them for the great conversations I get to have as this guy grows and matures each year. He's even hit the age where he doesn't wear out the knees of ALL his pants. 😊 So when we found jeans for under $13, I knew it was a deal that we could stretch! 

There's still time to hit some great sales and get your kids ready for those exciting first days of school! (Always a little more fun with new outfits to rock!) 

Sears is having a Summer Blow Out Sale that runs from 8/20 through 9/2! Make sure to shop at Sears in-store or online for additional 10-70% off on apparel and footwear!

#GearUpWithSears, #Sears

This post sponsored in collaboration with Sears. I received compensation, but I never promote anything my family doesn't thoroughly love! 

Ticket Giveaway: Shopkins Live!

I don't know about you, but I have some pretty big Shopkins fans in my house. They are EXTREMELY excited that Shopkins Live! Shop It Up! is coming to Pittsburgh. 

Shopkins Live! Shop It Up!

September 24, 2017

1pm & 4pm

Byham Theater

Shopkins Live! Shop It Up! lights up the stage in this premiere live production packed with show stopping performances featuring the Shoppies. Join Jessicake, Bubbleisha, Peppa-Mint, Rainbow Kate, Cocolette, and Polli Polish as they perform the coolest dance moves, sing the latest pop songs and show off the trendiest fashions.

All of Shopville is in a tizzy as preparations get underway for the annual “Funtastic Food and Fashion Fair.” Shady Diva showcases her latest fashion designs; Lippy Lips gives colorful advice at the nail salon; Kooky Cookie tries to get in a beauty nap! But wait!! No event is complete without a few hiccups! Who has high-jinxed the fashion pageant? Where is the super-secret celebrity guest? Will Slick Breadstick ever find a dance partner? The Shopkins and Shoppies need your help –the show must go on!

Featuring innovative set design, creative costuming, and state of the art projections, this is one theatrical experience you don’t want to miss!

Go here to purchase tickets tickets before they sell out! 

Here's a fun Shopkins coloring page for your kids that you can print & color! Go here to print. 

GIVEAWAY:

We have 4 tickets to give away to one lucky family!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is in collaboration with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as I know you'll enjoy this great family-friendly show!

412 Food Rescue + La Prima Coffee

412 Food Rescue is at it again, continuing to spread resources of food surplus in our city! If you're a fan of the Strip District, then chances are you might be a fan of the authentic Italian coffee shop, La Prima Coffee. On any given morning, you'll find a group of older Italians gathered for their morning coffee - and it doesn't get much more authentic that that! It's exciting to hear that La Prima Coffee is teaming up with 412 Food Rescue to benefit our community.

412 Food Rescue and La Prima Coffee will be hosting a party to celebrate the launch of their partnership:

• August 10 starting at 10 AM ET – open to the public
• Light breakfast refreshments - biscottis/pastries/etc

How it will benefit 412 Food Rescue:

• $1 of each bag sold will be donated to 412 Food Rescue to further their mission to #endhunger and #endfoodwaste in Pittsburgh.
• Promotion lasts until the coffee is sold out!

How you can purchase coffee:

• On the 412 Food Rescue website here. 
• La Prima will also sell the 412 Food Rescue bean from their Strip District Espress Bar and Nova Place .
• The coffee will be sold whole bean, but if you buy it at La Prima retail locations, they will be happy to grind it for your machine.

Volunteer Opportunities

412 Food Rescue volunteers make the work happen. Food rescue heroes transport food from donors to nonprofit partners. Pick ups happen daily and can be as quick as 30 minutes of your time.

You can volunteer as much or as little as you like. 412 Food Rescue alerts volunteers to available “rescues” and they respond to the ones that are right for them. Download the app (iOs or Android) to get alerts on rescues near you.
The organization has opportunities to leverage also any skill set, from hands-on activities such as food rescues and harvesting of produce to admin tasks and event planning.
Email info@412foodrescue.org to inquire about how you can work with the organization!

Opportunities for Students as They Head Back to School This Fall
As students head back to Pittsburgh, there are ample opportunities for them to get involve
d, as well! College students are encouraged to reach out to learn more about starting a 412 Food Rescue chapter on their campus OR they can join an existing organization on campus. If college students are going into a food related field (including nutrition/dietetics, public health, education, culinary arts, etc.), they could become Cooking Matters instructors.

So, grab that coffee while you can and don't forget to sign up with your kids to be a Food Rescue Hero! 

#412FoodRescue

Sponsored post in partnership with The Motherhood on behalf of 412 Food Rescue. 

$250 Sears Gift Card Giveaway

Shopping has changed pretty drastically for me since my pre-children days. I'm guessing it has for you as well! No more lingering and casually browsing while sipping an iced coffee. Now it boils down to a good bit of shushing and chasing with the occasional bribe thrown in when necessity drags me to the store with kids in tow!  😂 It's all good, we adapt. But that's not to say my kids haven't been known to sport some highwater pants a time or two. 😉

As a busy mom with 4 kids, there are a few ways my shopping habits have changed.

 #1 - it has to be on sale
 #2 - the store has to have quality brands that I trust
 #3 - a one-stop shop is the best

This week I had the chance to tour the Sears store at Ross Park Mall. The first thing I noticed was the SALE signs. It was a good start! In celebration of July 4^th, Sears is making the holiday last even longer by extending its July 4^th event for the next four days (7/5-7/8). Sears has store-wide savings in every department going on right now – in-store, online, mobile, via the Sears app, no matter how you want to shop. Plus, every day Sears is featuring one perfect summer item with an amazing deal from 7/5-7/8.

Sears is a premier shopping location since it includes - one of my top 3 musts - a one-stop shop! It carries a huge variety of items including clothing, baby gear, appliances, home goods, tools, electronics + much more. You can even get your car serviced while you're shopping! 

Sears is among the leading appliance retailers and America’s #1 fitness equipment retailer. Sears is America’s #1 provider of appliance and product repair services, with nearly seven million service calls made annually.

The Shop Your Way rewards program is definitely worth the free sign up! You earn points for every dollar you spend which means more free stuff. 👍 Download the Shop Your Way app for the best deals!

Swim wear can be one of those things that we moms do not love to shop for, right? Sears has a great swim wear section with a variety of styles for every body type. Shop here where you can get a lot of these pieces for under $16! When you're in the store, keep in mind that there are two separate swim sections. One section is the Lands End brand and one section is the other brands they carry. 

From swim wear to tools & tractors - that's definitely a first in my posts, haha! Because another aspect our family loves about Sears is that my husband and I BOTH love to shop there! Can we say Craftsman tool section? My hubby could spend hours there. 😊 

Today, Sears’s perfect summer item is the Craftsman 4-piece Lithium Combo Kit – it comes with a 1/2" drill, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw and a handy work light and two lithium batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty bag to store it all in. And it’s 20% off!

Yesterday's big sale was the Poulan Pro Riding Tractor. Over $500 off! Since my hubby currently does our lawn mowing, these specs don't mean much to me, but he was impressed! 

• 15.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine that helps get the job done in less time. 

• 42-inch mowing deck that allows you cut wide sections of grass at a time. 

• 6 cutting heights let you customize your mow to the condition of your lawn.

• 16" turning radius makes handling tight corners and hilly terrains no problem. 

• The seat is nicely padded and includes a cup holder to keep your drink close while you're out in the yard. 

• It mows in reverse mode, so you never lose any cutting time.

So whether you're looking for some deals on clothing, baby gear, outdoor furniture (currently 50% off!), lawn mowers, appliances or anything else, Sears has got you covered! 

Now that you've seen lots of fun summer stuff your family could definitely use to chill, eat and DIY everything. Want to try and win it? Head to Sears’ Facebook page where you’ll find links to the daily Sears Great Giveaway sweepstakes they’re running. Many bonus chances to win.

GIVEAWAY

And what's better? We have a $250 gift card to giveaway, thanks to the generosity of Sears! I'm sure that could go a long way in helping with upcoming school shopping, finishing a house project or splurging on something extra fun. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Sears #WithAmerica #Ad

This post is sponsored by Sears and I have received compensation for my services. All opinions remain my own. 

Save Money with Jetty

Moving. Does anyone else start getting tremors just by thinking about moving? My husband and I have moved five times in our twelve years of marriage and I'm hopeful that we're staying pretty settled now. But you never know! As foster parents, we're always needing more space as our family size can grow and shrink at strange intervals. ☺

I was recently introduced to Jetty, an insurance company that can get you out of paying a security deposit and can act as a co-signor as well.

Jetty is a new kind of insurance company designed to help people in cities reach their goals faster by removing obstacles and risks. Our mission is to protect our customers against setbacks of all kinds, from fire and theft to wasted time and money.

PASSPORT DEPOSIT

Maybe you've found the perfect space to move, but you simply don't have the money for the deposit that they require. Enter: the Passport Deposit. This is basically a security replacement product. Jetty will help you manage a deposit with a security deposit bond. Jetty charges a one time nonrefundable fee of 18% to get you set up and covered. Then they'll pay the rest of your deposit to your landlord. (Keep in mind that you would still be responsible for damages during your rental time).

Swap the security deposit you might never see again with a smaller, one-time fee: just 18% of the deposit amount. It isn't a loan, but it is that easy.

So if the required security deposit was $1,000, you would pay Jetty $180 and be on your way to getting into your anticipated home. Sounds pretty sweet! Their website is extremely user friendly and you can get an insurance quote and pay premiums all online.

Maybe you already own your home, but are considering a rental property or doing AirBnB. Jetty is a great option to suggest to your renters! Jetty also offers AirBnB Host Protection for an extra charge in addition to your policy.

PASSPORT LEASE

There can often be very high requirements to get a landlord to rent to you. You may need a credit score of 700 or higher. You may be required to make an annual salary of 35-40 times the rent. They may require a co-signor. There are many people who cannot rent in the neighborhood they desire because they can't fulfill these requirements. Maybe your mom, dad, aunt or uncle aren't able to help you as a co-signor. Jetty to the rescue once again! They will step up to be your guarantor through the purchase of a Passport Lease. Although it will cost more money up front, it may be what you need to get you into the perfect place!

So are you #ReadyToJetty? You can find more helpful information and see other people's experiences by searching the hashtag on Facebook or Twitter.

Jetty might be the company you've been waiting for to get you into the perfect home!

If you are renting, don't forget that renter's insurance. It's extremely affordable and will cover all your treasured possessions should the worst ever happen.

This post sponsored by Jetty. All opinions remain my own.